Welcome!

I'm Clifford Stumme, and I use literary analysis and research to explain the deeper meanings of pop songs. Feel free to leave a comment or to email me at clifford@popsongprofessor.com with questions or ideas!

NF has just released a music video for “Leave Me Alone“; and it is so good; there is a lot that’s going on in the music video, and a lot more to unwrap in the lyrics. He talks about OCD, therapy, fame, and so much more. So let’s talk about it.

“The Water Fountain” is a really catchy song; it’s well-written; and it’s personal. And nothing makes me respect an artist more than when they get real and personal; and when they tell their stories in the form of good music.

I don't know if a lemon has ever made you cry before; but there is a good chance that it will, if you listened and watched the music video for “Green” by Cavetown. You want to know why? and what’s the story behind this lemon? Let me explain.

NF’s new song and music video “When I Grow Up'“ is so good you cannot listen to it, and we couldn’t not talk about it; we see NF as a cute little kid, a garbageman, a fast-food restaurant employee, and even a custodian. It’s an interesting song from a new perspective. So let’s talk about it.

half•alive has put out a song that made lots of us feel things, tear up, and do lots and lots of thinking about life. “Runaway” lyrics and music video are one of the best things that I’ve seen in a while; so let’s talk about it.

“Guiltless” is a new song by dodie, she talks about this person who’ve hurt her feelings, yet they are unaware of it. I am sure that most of you reading this can relate to this story; which makes this song even more beautiful.

It’s about sadness, bitterness, and forgiveness… A relatable topic, a great clean simple melody, and a cool music video; so lets talk about it.

“The Hype”, the 8th song on the album Trench by twenty one pilots; it’s such a deep song, that has —as usual— some personal things, where Tyler Joseph speaks to someone —which is new to twenty one pilots— about something that he’s almost never spoke about before. So let’s talk about this.